Climber in record bid

AN IRISH climber is making final preparations before a gruelling attempt to become the fastest man in the world to scale Africa’s highest mountain.

Ian McKeever expects to set off on his race up 5,895m-high Mount Kilimanjaro on Monday morning with his African climbing guide friend Samuel Kinsonga.

They are hoping to beat five hours 38 minutes.

Mr McKeever said: “I know the mountain like the back of my hand, I’ve done it about 14 times now, but I still respect it. I don’t take it for granted.”